London to Kilkenny

The first thing I saw in Dublin.

Friday was a travel day, from London, England to Kilkenny, Ireland. Actually, I am in Callan, about fifteen minutes past Kilkenny. The day started at 4:00am, which is earlier than anyone should have to get up. I had a taxi ride to London Heathrow airport, multiple security checks, an hour-long flight to Dublin, a 2 hour wait, then a 3.5 hour bus ride. I was really hoping to get some rest on the bus ride, but it was very warm, and because I was not exactly what I was looking for as far as the stop was concerned, I was unable to really rest at all. Luckily I found myself an older local woman, who made the sign of the cross at every church we passed, and after a short conversation she took on the duty of informing me when we were getting to my stop. For this, I was grateful. The bus was 45 minutes late getting to my destination, but as I made my exit, I was glad to see someone whom, although we had never met, our email exchanges had built a familiarity that put me at ease as soon as we made eye contact. A very nice French woman, she was welcoming and helped roll my bag as we walked the 3 blocks to the house I am staying in. After a tour of the house, and a review of the projected schedule for the week, I settled into my room briefly, before being picked up for dinner with a gentleman from the states, and his lovely wife.

I hate making people wait, and since I had already done that once on this day, I was going to head outside a few minutes early to meet my host for the evening. I think he was as shocked as I when as I was reaching for the door, and he was opening it with a key. We both kind of took a step back in shock, then progressed with our introductions. We walked outside and I kind of chuckled to myself when I saw his car, and imagined what it was going to take to get me into it. A cute little two-seater MG, that had no idea what it was in for. I gave serious consideration to heading back inside to grab some butter to grease up my sides. For those of you familiar with my Pier-1 'rockasan' story, imagine that, but with a car. After a few attempts to pull the door shut, I was finally successful, and we were on our way. The house that he shares with his wife and family was extraordinarilly cute. It was like something out of a magazine, an updated Irish farm house. I was in awe, and envy. His wife had prepared a pork roast with peas, carrotts, and...potatoes. It was all delicious I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then for dessert we had fresh strawberries topped with real whipped cream. (happy happy) Following dinner we shared stories, learned a little about each other's backgrounds, discovered iPad apps, and discussed Hurling, the national sport of Ireland. (imagine a mix between lacrosse, field hockey and rugby) After this very nice evening he drove me back to where I am staying, in a different car, and I quickly proceeded to fall asleep.

Below is a picture of a cemetery I was able to snap from the bus:

Also, my mom is known to one of her favorite families as Tayto, and here she has her own chip line:

Today was wonderful. I slept until 8:00, which was a welcome treat, the got ready for the day. My plan was to meet with some of the folks from the Moorfield House for a picnic, but by lunch time it was not really picnic weather. They re-evaluated, and decided that they would pick me up and we would go bowling; two core members, myself, and team Germany. Here, unlike in Lambeth, the houses are not all within walking distance. They drove 15 minutes to pick me up on our way back into Kilkenny. Bowling was great. BIG CLAP!! Following bowling we headed into the mall/shopping center that it was attached to and had lunch in a very nice food court atrium. We then did a little shopping, and loaded up to head to Moorfield. This house was quite large, and in a very rural area. They have a large lush back yard with views of mountains, cattle, and flowers. There is also a nice prayer room with a beautiful carved log that grabbed my attention. After a tour and some pictures I went back to my domicile to do some laundry and get caught up on some other stuff. All in all, it was a very good day.

If you want to see more about where I am, and who I am with, visit http://www.larche.ie/Kilkenny.aspx or Google L'Arche Kilkenny.

Posted with Blogsy

The Last Day in Lambeth, 6/28/2012

First, I want to start this post by saying a very special hello and thank you to the delightful German woman who leads the craft workshop. She took me under her wing, and although she drives a hard bargain, she runs a nice workshop. (I told you I would do it.)

Today was another very nice day in L'Arche Lambeth. I spent the first half of the day in a local art club with two core members, and an assistant from the United States that has been with L'Arche for about 30 years. The art club was nice, and consisted of about ten people from the local area. Everyone there was quite nice, and their art was incredible. While the art group was meeting, I had some very good conversation with the long time assistant.

Following the art club I went back to Subway, for the third straight day (it feels like home and settles nicely), and then headed back to the craft workshop. I was happy to finally have a drink that was full of ice. They had Orange Fanta on tap, that was not the same as at home, but surprisingly light and delicious. I have been craving ice like pregnant woman with a mineral deficiency since I got here. I know I could be getting a better taste of the city by eating at local places, but my stomach has still not quite settled. I merrily walked to the workshop while sipping my Fanta and crunching my ice.

Once at the workshop I was happy to again meet more people from even more countries. I think in the last four days I have spoken to people from at least 10 countries who are all part of this L'Arche community. (I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing each of their experiences.) I helped as a core member worked on a hook rug, a difficult skill that she has mastered beautifully. After the tea break I was given the task of working to fill gaps in a nearly completed piece. I found this work to be surprisingly therapeutic.

My evening concluded with another lovely dinner at The Dove. It was a nice way to conclude my visit in Lambeth. I am now back in my room at Chestnut trying to contemplate how to best re-pack my bags for my flight to Ireland tomorrow morning. I am being picked up by a taxi at 5:30 tomorrow morning, so I need to get in the bed as soon as possible, but I doubt that will happen.

To everyone at L'Arche Lambeth, thank you. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you for letting me into your Community. Thank you for everything. I wish all of you the best in all of your future endeavors. I will certainly never forget this experience, and the parts each of you played in it.

Before signing off I want to clear up some of the language I have been using in these posts. In the U.S. there are things called "sheltered workshops," or at least there used to be. This type of work environment has fallen out of favor, and is slowly being replaced by better, more appropriate work sites. However, while talking about the workshop at L'Arche Lambeth, it is truly a workshop, in all senses of the word. This is a place where candles, weavings, ans other products are made, and should not be viewed through the negative guise of American terminology.

Good night.

Exhausted but Happy

I am absolutely exhausted today. First, with the time difference, I have been staying up much later than I normally do. But today simply wore me out. I asked to be put to use where I was needed, and today, that was in the garden. For those of you who know me, or have ever been to my house, you know that yard work is neither a passion nor primary concern of mine. However, the silver lining on doing yard work today was the delightful weather, with overcast skies and a consistent breeze. I was put to work with a pair of gloves, some snips, and instructions to remove brambles (briars), clench weed, and anything dead. I gladly set out, removing some of the most gnarly brambles I have ever seen. They were an inch or more in diameter at the base, and covered in more skin piercing thorns than you could count. I had completed the patch I had been assigned to by tea time. After tea I moved the piles of brush, then prepared for lunch. Following lunch I essentially supervised as one of the core members masterfully cut the grass. One of the many highlights of the day was getting to pick and eat a few delicious cherries from the cherry tree that grows at one of the garden entrances. Following work I stopped by Chestnut to take a shower, then to The Dove for a delicious Indian dinner. I got to meet lots of new people today from all over the world, and really enjoyed getting to hear their stories. It has been a great, but exhausting day. I hope all is well. I am heading to bed.

L'Arche Lambeth: Monday and Tuesday

Last I wrote it was Monday afternoon, and I was awaiting my first contact with L'Arche Lambeth. I was set to have most of my contact with one of their several communities, The Dove. I was taken to where I would be staying, because their house is full, and because I do not have a British background check. After having some time to settle in, I returned to The Dove for dinner. There I had my first interaction with the three core members there, two males and one female. I got to learn a little about each of them, along with two of the assistants while they completed their weekly meeting to schedule each person's preferred activities, followed by dinner. The group prayer before the meal was touching, as each person in the group, core members and assistants offered up their concerns. Much care was given to address the concerns of the core members, to help them to understand and process what is going on with their friends and families in a very therapeutic way. We then headed to the table, where we sang the Johnny Appleseed blessing (with one minor local change), which made me feel like I was at Camp Rainbow Connection. Since I have been here I have not been very hungry or even had the urge to eat (don't worry, I won't blow away), but I appreciated the invitation to join them for dinner, and ate a little. Following dinner I headed back to the house on Chestnut for some sleep.

Today,Tuesday was exactly what I was needing. I had been feeling terribly isolated sice I got to London, so I needed to be with people. I arrived at The Dove at 8:30, then walked to the workshop. This workshop is an awesome place! From the street it occupies three large windowed bays of one building. One section houses offices, the middle opens to their storefront, and on the left is the workshop. In this workshop core members from several of the community houses come to work, along with some people who do not live in a L'Arche house. In the workshop they produce three primary items: candles, woven products, and hook rugs. I was happily put to work helping to finish some woven mats, and adding labels. Then, I was shown the ins and outs of their candle making processes, followed by having the opportunity to make one myself. After lunch (I found a Subway, and ate the first significant meal of my stay) I continued to finish rugs and cut yarn for the hook rugs.

Following work I attended a faith group meeting. Here we sang songs (including some CRC favorites like Give me oil in my lamp, minus the ho-down and Hallelujah) had a lesson, and group prayer. Again, I felt like I was at camp, and this was a welcome feeling. Following faith group we headed back for dinner, and a thank you/going away party for one of the assistants who will be leaving at the end of the week. Dinner was nice, but the highlight of the evening was hearing the core members give speeches to the leaving assistant. I had a nice time talking to the assistants and cleaning up, then headed back to Chestnut. This was such a wonderful day! I hope the next two are able to keep up. Until next time...

Bonus content: during dinner I was told about something called Jaffa Cakes, and that they were a delicacy that I could not afford to miss. On my way home I stopped by the store to grab some, and they are delicious. Small sponge cake the size of a silver dollar, with an orange gel and chocolate on the flat side. A winner in my book, and something my mom would love. If ever you find yourself in a position to try some of these delightful treats, do not pass it up.

Sunday, June 24

Sunday was pretty uneventful, comparatively. I had to go back to Oxford Circus to pick up a SIM card for my phone. If you ask me, and I wouldn't, I would tell you that the entire thing is obnoxious. However, that is probably because I don't understand how it all works. Since I was down there, I took the walk down Regent Street to Picadilly Circus. Regent Street was absolutely packed, and both sides of the street are lined with every fashion store you could think of. The most congestion was in front of Abacrombie & Fitch, because women were clamoring to get their picture taken with the male models in their bathing suits. I figured I didn't need to stop because when you get to look at this in the mirror every morning, they have nothing to offer. (amiright?). I then headed back to the hotel to get some rest and do some writing. I was fortunate to be able to talk through FaceTime with my wife, Katie Jo, and my parents. During the few days that I was in the hotel I watched a lot of cricket, rugby, and Top Gear. It is good to see that they are showing the same reruns here as they do back in the states. This morning I packed all of my things and headed out to L'Arche Lambeth. I got here a little early, so I am taking this opportunity to do some writing while sitting on a small brick wall outside of The Dove, the house in Lambeth.

Sightseeing in London (lots of pictures)

This post is going to be photo heavy. Saturday I did about six hours of sightseeing in London. I put on my headphones and listened to my best of british music, including my new favorite Ed Sheeran, as well as Mumford and Sons, the Housemartins, The English Beat, and a mix that was made by y brother as a gift before i left. The weather was beautiful. 75 degrees and breezy, although things deteriorated as the day went on. First, I went to Oxford Circus to visit the Apple store to get a card reader so that I could upload pictures. Then from there I went to Westminster. My primary focus was the London Eye, a huge ferris wheel with pods that hold about 25 people each. One full rotation on The Eye takes thirty minutes. It was a beautiful until about ten minutes before I boarded, then a light rain made taking pictures from the eye difficult. However, because of the shape of the pods, I was able to shoot from the floor and avoid the droplets since they were only on the top half. I then did some walking and took the following pictures. I have many more, but here are some of my favorites.

The London Eye.

What the pods look like.

Some shots of Big Ben, and the British Houses of Parliament.

Westminster Abbey.

These were in the alcove to the right. Jenette, I made sure to touch some of this old stuff just for you, especially the doors and columns.

The famous South Bank Lion.

A distant family member of my mom.

Some cool elephants outside of an Indian hotel.

All of the following are from Buckingham Palace. Four activists had climbed the gates and locked themselves to the bars in an attempt to call attention to their cause. This meant that things were really locked down, and I had to take many pictures from further away, and at worse angles than I would have liked.

Oh, and A'Leigh, stay away from Jubilee Gardens, there are lots of people in costumes. I think I caught three in this one shot. On the other hand, Mr. Baretto, you could make a mint out here.

That's it for now. I have to pack up all of my stuff. Tomorrow I report to my first L'Arche community. I am really looking forward to it. I do not know what kind of access I will have there, so until I write again, be well.

A comment about comments

I just want to let everyone know that if you are making comments, I am getting them. However, I am having some trouble posting responses. You will know i have received your comment when you see it posted. Please do not stop commenting, I love hearing from you, and it makes me feel tied to home.


Because this post is so short, I am going to fatten it up with some bonus pictures. While walking around the Jubilee Gardens there were tons of buskers. The guy making his living as Mr. Bean was my favorite. Matt, the picture of Darth Vader is just for you. I hope you are having an awesome summer. See you in September.

Friday, June 22nd

When I last left you, we were waiting to land in Paris. That went smoothly, although the pressure changes woke the babies and they lost their minds...again. I made it through the French security check, and had about twenty minutes to chill out before boarding my third plane. Of my flights, this plane ranked second in size, but last in seat space. I took a 30 minute nap leaning against the window, and was awakened to an Air France breakfast, which included a piece of bread with cheese and serrano ham, yogurt (bleh), a biscuit that I dropped on the floor, never to be seen again, and a box of two chocolates.


Landing at London Heathrow, we were directed to customs. Now, these were lines. Easily 1,000 people, and a 2 hour wait with a woman who was into show dogs! (I apologize now to anyone I ever bored with my juggling talk.). When it was my turn I thoroughly confused the customs agent. I said I was there to study, but not at a school. Then I tried to explain L'Arche, but that did not help make things any more clear. After finally answering all of her questions I started on my way, only to be pulled aside by the custom agent's manager, who was standing over her shoulder and listened to our entire exchange. He asked me a lot of the same questions, then got to the point...What was with my beard? He was confused by the fact that I had such an epic beard with no religious explanation.

After gathering my luggage I set out on my first ever subway, or tube, shall I say, expedition. It went smoothly, but made me wish I had packed less after carrying all of my luggage up and down steps. Finally, I popped out at Pimlico station. This left only a 0.5 mile walk to my hotel, but with my luggage and lack of sleep, it may as well have been 5 miles. Doubletree was nice enough to let me check in early, and I was grateful. I set down my stuff, and called my loving wife. I was so exhausted all I wanted to do was cry. I turned the thermostat to cold, kicked off my shoes, and took a four hour nap without ever getting under the blankets. Did I mention that I had been sweating for nearly 18 hours.


I woke up around 4:00pm, fueled by my desire for fish & chips. I did some research, and set about my way. A walk that should have taken fifteen minutes turned into an hour with some wrong turns and no map. When I reached The Laughing Halibut, it was closed. I settled on a pub that was just down the road, determined to walk no further. Walking into The Old Monk I saw exactly what I was hoping for, soccer and a menu featuring fish & chips. I got myself a pint, because I thought it was appropriate to the setting, and didn't want to get in a brawl with some hooligans over not getting a pint of something. The fish was good, although I was thrown off by the fact that it still had the skin on. The chips were spot on, but the mushy peas left a bit to be desired, although I ate them in honor of my dear Katie Jo.

After my meal I walked back to the hotel, face timed Rachael, and fell asleep watching and trying to understand England's national sport, cricket.


Oh, one more thing. On my walk back to the hotel I found this really neat sculpture of a Paralympics discus athlete.